---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump…"
description: "\"My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump them ay thegither: The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise anither.\" — Robert Burns"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png"
---

#  My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump them ay…

![“My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump them ay thegither: The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise anither.” quote by Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png)

> “My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump them ay thegither: The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise anither.”

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Rigid righteousness and wisdom are foolish; flexibility is needed.

**In simple terms:** Stubbornness is foolish.

Key Takeaway

Embrace flexibility.

Themes

wisdom rigidity humility

Mood

reflective cautionary

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- leadership decisions
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

philosophy personal growth

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you been too rigid?
- How can you balance principle with flexibility?

A Different Perspective

Rigid thinking can hinder adaptation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Fool Rigid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool-rigid-267122/) [Human nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-nature/) [Lumps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lumps/) [Maxims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maxims/) [My son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-son/) [Righteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteous/) [Righteous Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteous-fool-267120/) [Rigid Righteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigid-righteous-267121/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Son Maxims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son-maxims-267119/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) [Wise Anither](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-anither-267123/)

## Related quotes

> [Tentatively I stood a great lump of wood on the chopping block and bought the axe down on it. It flew into two perfect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/tentatively-i-stood-a-great-lump-of-wood-on-the-chopping-block-and/)

[Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/)

> [Writing, for me, is a little like wood carving. You find the lump of tree (the big central theme that gets you started), and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/writing-for-me-is-a-little-like-wood-carving-you-find-the-lump-of/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

> [The fact that people can forget these simple truths when intellectualizing about children shows how far modern doctrines have taken us. They make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-fact-that-people-can-forget-these-simple-truths-when/)

[Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/)

> [Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat because they are signs that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/pay-attention-to-the-things-that-bring-a-tear-to-your-eye-or-a-lump/)

[Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/)

> [But most weeks I've gone through 12 books, maybe even 15 some weeks, depending on the length. So I go through my long form,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/but-most-weeks-i-ve-gone-through-12-books-maybe-even-15-some-weeks/)

[Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/)

> [Donald Trump is a big Christmas gift wrapped under the tree for Hillary Clinton. She desperately hopes she runs against Donald Trump. I, however,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/donald-trump-is-a-big-christmas-gift-wrapped-under-the-tree-for/)

[Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/)

> [There are chemists who spend their whole lives trying to find out what's in a lump of sugar. I want to know one thing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/there-are-chemists-who-spend-their-whole-lives-trying-to-find-out/)

[Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/)

> [This Great God, Like a mammy bending over her baby, Kneeled down in the dust Toiling over a lump of clay Till He shaped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-weldon-johnson/this-great-god-like-a-mammy-bending-over-her-baby-kneeled-down-in-the/)

[James Weldon Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-weldon-johnson/)

> [The camera hound of the future wears on his forehead a lump a little larger than a walnut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vannevar-bush/the-camera-hound-of-the-future-wears-on-his-forehead-a-lump-a-little/)

[Vannevar Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vannevar-bush/)

> [The capitalist system of coordination by trade seems to be largely populated by indigestible lumps of socialism called corporations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-carson/the-capitalist-system-of-coordination-by-trade-seems-to-be-largely/)

[Kevin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-carson/)

> [An overdose of praise is like 10 lumps of sugar in coffee; only a very few people can swallow it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-post/an-overdose-of-praise-is-like-10-lumps-of-sugar-in-coffee-only-a-very/)

[Emily Post](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-post/)

> [A lump in the throat is worth two on the head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-kelly/a-lump-in-the-throat-is-worth-two-on-the-head/)

[Walt Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-kelly/)

> [At first he thought he felt bad because he was afraid of leading an army, but it wasn't true. He knew he'd make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/at-first-he-thought-he-felt-bad-because-he-was-afraid-of-leading-an/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/)

[Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/)

> [I love to go out in late September among the fat, overripe, icy, black blackberries to eat blackberries for breakfast, the stalks very prickly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galway-kinnell/i-love-to-go-out-in-late-september-among-the-fat-overripe-icy-black/)

[Galway Kinnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galway-kinnell/)

## More by Robert Burns

> [Some wee short hour ayont the twal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-wee-short-hour-ayont-the-twal/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-snowdrop-and-primrose-our-woodlands-adorn-and-violets-bathe-in/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Oh my luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June; Oh my luve's like the melodie That's sweetly played in tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/oh-my-luve-s-like-a-red-red-rose-that-s-newly-sprung-in-june-oh-my/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Again rejoicing Nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, All freshly steep'd in the morning dews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/again-rejoicing-nature-sees-her-robe-assume-its-vernal-hues-her-leafy/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Gin a body meet a body Coming thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body— Need a body cry?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/gin-a-body-meet-a-body-coming-thro-the-rye-gin-a-body-kiss-a-body/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [“O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/o-wad-some-power-the-giftie-gie-us-to-see-oursels-as-ithers-see-us/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/liberty-s-in-every-blow-let-us-do-or-die/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Dare to be honest and fear no labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/dare-to-be-honest-and-fear-no-labor/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Look abroad through Nature's range, Nature's mighty law is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/look-abroad-through-nature-s-range-nature-s-mighty-law-is-change/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [ “All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn." \[ Brigs of Ayr \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/all-cheering-plenty-with-her-flowing-horn-led-yellow-autumn-wreath-d/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [To make three guineas do the work of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/to-make-three-guineas-do-the-work-of-five/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Some books are lies frae end to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-books-are-lies-frae-end-to-end/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Who made the heart, 'tis He alone Decidedly can try us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/who-made-the-heart-tis-he-alone-decidedly-can-try-us/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.--Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nursing-her-wrath-to-keep-it-warm-robert-burns/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

> [It is cruelty to be humane to rebels, and humanity is cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/it-is-cruelty-to-be-humane-to-rebels-and-humanity-is-cruelty/)

[Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

[Explore all 233 Robert Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/)

## More Fool quotes

> [Do I look like a fool to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/do-i-look-like-a-fool-to-you/)

[Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/)

> [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [There are various orders of beauty, causing men to make fools of themselves in various styles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/there-are-various-orders-of-beauty-causing-men-to-make-fools-of/)

[George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/)

> [“Not wise, perhaps, to be rude to the Pope's favorite son, but my viper tongue still required a fool now and then on which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-quinn/not-wise-perhaps-to-be-rude-to-the-pope-s-favorite-son-but-my-viper/)

[Kate Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-quinn/)

> [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/)

[William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/)

> [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/)

[Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/)

> [A fool and his money get a lot of publicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-bernstein/a-fool-and-his-money-get-a-lot-of-publicity/)

[Al Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-bernstein/)

> [There are different kinds of fire; there is false fire. No one knows this better than we do, but we are not such fools…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-booth/there-are-different-kinds-of-fire-there-is-false-fire-no-one-knows/)

[William Booth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-booth/)

> [Every man must wear out at least one pair of fools shoes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-derr-biggers/every-man-must-wear-out-at-least-one-pair-of-fools-shoes/)

[Earl Derr Biggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-derr-biggers/)

> [If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wc-fields/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-try-try-again-then-quit-no-use-being-a/)

[WC Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wc-fields/)

> [There is nothing that we can properly call our own but our time, and yet everybody fools us out of it who has a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/there-is-nothing-that-we-can-properly-call-our-own-but-our-time-and/)

[Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/)

> [I'd be a fool to be in this for the money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-hinn/i-d-be-a-fool-to-be-in-this-for-the-money/)

[Benny Hinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-hinn/)

> [It is a fool of a shepherd who culls his dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-smith/it-is-a-fool-of-a-shepherd-who-culls-his-dogs/)

[Jefferson Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-smith/)

> [Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prefer-to-be-defeated-in-the-presence-of-the-wise-than-to-excel-among/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [A mistake doesnt make you a fool, but denying it surely makes you one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-mistake-doesnt-make-you-a-fool-but-denying-it-surely-makes-you-one/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

[Browse all 5,535 Fool quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump them ay thegither: The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise anither.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert Burns"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump-them-ay-thegither-the-rigid/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Fool"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump-them-ay-thegither-the-rigid/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c96/robert-burns-1511_fool_my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump_811773.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“My Son, these maxims make a rule An lump them ay thegither: The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise…” — Robert Burns",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Robert Burns",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "My Son, these maxims make a...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump-them-ay-thegither-the-rigid/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/my-son-these-maxims-make-a-rule-an-lump-them-ay-thegither-the-rigid/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
